An excerpt from CM Shaffer in her constituent newsletter on Friday, March 20:
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Lastly, we see issues being brought forward that I believe do not belong on the Minneapolis City Council agenda. Members of the city council have spent time, energy and city resources to bring forward resolutions (1) calling for the normalization of relations with Cuba; (2) urging unspecified European financial institutions to divest from companies that “enable ICE”; and, (3) instructing the University of Minnesota to end a labor standoff. I feel like such resolutions distract from the business of actually running the city and – as is the case with the University resolution – could actually interfere with the ability of a coordinate unit of government to do its own job. Minneapolis needs municipal leaders focused on Minneapolis.
The full Committee of the Whole agenda – including these items – should be posted today on the public LIMS website.
Thank you,
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Download the 3 ordinances:
Executive Order 14380 and normalization of relations with Cuba Resolution
European Divestment Advocacy Resolution
Supporting the labor rights of Graduate Fellows and Trainees at the U of M Resolution
Meeting Details:
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Thank you Elizabeth, it is the second time that I voted for you. You make me proud, please keep up through good fight for the citizens of Minneapolis
*the
This seems to me to be a disproportionate fuss about 3 city council resolutions concerning policies not directly under the city’s control. Motivations for such actions are sometimes grandstanding but they can also help to build consensus for points of view which can later motivate a national change of policy. In the era of the Vietnam war there were many such resolutions coming from local government bodies and eventually, (and painfully slowly) national opinion shifted and the war ended.
I agree that the council should not spend most of its time on such things, but I don’t think it does. It may be that the fuss is part of what seems to be a persistent campaign to discredit the left wing of the council by lobbing trivial criticisms at it.
Woods Halley
Full agreement!
Such a relief to have Shaffer on this City Council. The problem, we came in 1-2 short at our last local elections in getting enough people onto the Council, individuals who actually wanted to do the job, the real WORK of being a council member here in Minneapolis.
I am truly embarrassed, well, mortified, by the Chugleys/ this Wonsley voting block.
You are the only council member with any sense.
Here here!
I think you mean “hear hear!”
Both work 😉